EcoApachi

EcoApachi campers explore life science like never before.

3rd-7th grade

Budding biologists, engineers, environmentalists and artists explore living things and our world through hands-on activities and experiments. Campers head outdoors on the wooded grounds of Northside College Prep, the North Shore Channel Trail and surrounding park areas.

Call: 847.763.3504

Camp in Action: Photo Gallery

EcoApachi combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math with the fun and adventure of day camp. We believe that kids learn best by doing and being actively engaged in exploring new things.

Topics

Ecosystems

Biomes

Biodiversity

Water Cycles

Conservation

Activities & Experiments

Sample Collection

Nature Exploration

Planting Trees

Water Lab

Building Bird Houses

Hydroponics

Each day is a mix of hands-on learning and camp fun, including swimming in our indoor pool. We will incorporate art, technology gateways and campus lab tours into the schedule.

Heath Davis, Lead Instructor

When he is not at Apachi Northside, Heath is a Chicago Public School teacher. Through his classroom, he provides a wide range of “green” instruction with the hope that students make future lifestyle choices that are beneficial to the environment. Heath is known for engaging kids through creative hands-on activities, inquiry based exploration and cooperative learning projects that use technology to encourage communication.

Heath designed the EcoApachi curriculum specifically for our site. He is excited to spend another summer at Apachi Northside, and can’t wait to take science into the pool.

Details

Swim Program

Our aquatics staff is supervised by Northside Aquatics Swim Club. They teach swimming in a safe, confidence-building environment. Safety is our priority and all members of our aquatics staff are certified lifeguards with CPR training.

Testing, placement, progress reports

Campers are tested at the beginning of summer and placed in an appropriate swim level based on their skills. They pass through levels based on both formal and informal testing. Progress reports are sent home during the summer with a summary of skills your child is working on and those already mastered.

Our aquatics director

Carlos Ceja is currently the Head Coach of Northside Aquatics Club. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and majored in Movement Science at University of Illinois-Chicago. Carlos coached swimmers, divers and water polo players that went on to compete at the collegiate level. In May of 2011, he was inducted into Roosevelt High School Sport’s Hall of Fame. Carlos is certified in American Sports Education, as a Water-Safety Instructor, for Safety Training of Swim Coaches and Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR and AED Essentials. He is also a member of a number of swim associations including being a Level 3 Coach and life member of the American Swimming Coaches Association.

Transportation, Friends, Food, Wellness

Drop-Off

Our convenient carpool line helps your camper get to their group easily and speed you on your way. Just enter the lot towards the south end of the building and follow the path around to the drop off areas in front of the building. A staff member will come to your car rain or shine to help your child out of their seat. You’ll get to see your camper with a smiling counselor by their side and you never even have to get out of your car. At pick up time, just use the carpool line again. We will bring your child to you, buckle them in, and you will be on your way.

Optional round trip bus

For an additional fee, families can select to have their children take the bus to and from camp. Buses are driven by licensed, professional drivers and supervised by Apachi staff. Campers are required to wear seatbelts at all times. We have bus routes from several neighborhoods on the city’s north side. Our bus stops are “cluster stops” for groups of campers, not individual stops. We try to make the cluster stops convenient for families as well as safe and efficient.

For campers registered prior to April 15, you will select your bus stop from a list. Campers who register after April 15, will be assigned to a stop close to their home.

Food

We provide pizza lunch on Wednesdays and a hotdog cookout on Fridays as well as a daily snack. For the remainder of the week, please send along a sack lunch that we’ll refrigerate.

Food allergies

Safety and inclusion are top priorities at JCC Chicago Day Camps. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child. More information can be found below:

Safety and inclusion are top priorities at JCC Chicago Day Camps. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child.

What families can expect from JCC Day Camps

Camp Responsibilities:

Camp staff will establish prevention protocols for the camp site.

Make plans so that campers with food allergies can be included in all activities.

Make sure ingredients of food provided at camp is available for parents to review.

Review the health records submitted by parents and physicians.

Assure that appropriate personnel are familiar with the use of epinephrine, where medication is located and the protocol for administering.

Arrange a training session before the start of camp.

Be in compliance with local and state regulations regarding the administration of medication.

Identify a camp emergency plan.

Arrange a meeting with camper and parents prior to the beginning of camp.

Assure that camp has the required authorization and appropriate medication to use in the event of contact.

Assure that anyone who will be in contact with the camper, including counselors and the unit head, know of the allergy, can recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction and knows what action to take if a reaction occurs.

Discuss lunch plan with the family and child before the start of camp. Every camper with a food allergy is encouraged to use a disposal tray during lunch. A new tray will be provided to the camper each day. The tray will create a barrier between the child’s food and the table and will also make it easier for staff to clearly identify children with food allergies during lunchtime.

Clearly explain to families that camp environments are not allergy-free because campers and staff can bring their own food to camp, including food that contains peanuts and tree-nuts.

Explain JCC Chicago’s no sharing policy to campers and staff.

Plan for field trips or off-site activities.

Confirm that any emergency medications and authorizations accompany the camper and the counselor to off-site activities.

Assign the unit head as the person to monitor or administer medication or auto injector.

Be sure there is a way to contact emergency assistance.

Refer to manufacturer’s instructions for proper storage.

Family Responsibility

Families should:

Notify the camp of the camper’s allergies or suspected allergies upon registration.

Use the camp application and/or health form and list the foods to which your child is allergic.

Arrange a meeting with the camp prior to your child’s first day. We suggest that the camper is present for this meeting so that the parents, child and staff can discuss a food allergy plan together.

Provide camp with a completed Illinois Food Allergy Action Plan and Treatment Authorization including a current photo: Due: April 15, 2018.

Consider sending a box of allergy-safe snacks for your child at the beginning of the summer.

Medication

All medication must be checked for expiration dates. Parents must be prepared to replace any expired, unsealed, or previously use medication.

Provide full set of auto-injectors, as prescribed by physician, in original packing, clearly labeled with the camper’s name.

Education

Educate your child about his/her food allergies

Safe and unsafe foods

Strategies for avoiding unsafe foods

Symptoms of allergic reactions

How and when to tell an adult about an allergic response

Camper Responsibility

All campers should:

Be aware of the foods to which they are allergic.

Never trade food with other campers.

Never eat something with unknown ingredients.

Always ask an adult when you don’t know the ingredients.

Tell an adult if a reaction seems to be starting, even if there is no visible appearance of an allergic response.

Never go off alone if symptoms are beginning.

JCC will follow the action plan that is agreed upon with the family, and which will be based on the full disclosure of the family. While the goal of the JCC is to provide a safe and inclusive environment, JCC does not represent that the allergy restrictions and action plans are appropriate for the particular camper. JCC will not assume any liability for the approach used.

Immunizations & Health Forms

To participate in camp, campers must have a completed health form signed by a physician on file. We also require documentation of immunizations.

Registration

Registration

EcoApachi | Grades 3-7

Budding biologists, engineers, environmentalists and artists explore living things and our world throughout hands-on activities and experiments. Campers will explore life science by collecting samples, learning about habitats, planting trees, constructing bird houses and recording findings in a technology gateway. Plus, there’s time each day for swimming.

Try Chi

3rd–6th grade | Aug 12-15 | $349
Try Chi is the best way to get a taste of quality Jewish overnight camping. Campers meet new friends, and live in cabins with experienced, caring counselors who help them feel comfortable right away. They’ll feel the spirit of camp with cookouts, campfires, sing-alongs and great evening programs.

Optional round trip bus

For an additional fee, families can select to have their children take the bus to and from camp. Buses are driven by licensed, professional drivers and supervised by Apachi staff. Campers are required to wear seatbelts at all times. We have bus routes from several neighborhoods on the city’s north side. Our bus stops are “cluster stops” for groups of campers, not individual stops. We try to make the cluster stops convenient for families as well as safe and efficient.

Roundtrip Fees:$305/3wk
$400/4wk
$710/7wk

For campers registered prior to April 15, you will select your bus stop from a list. Campers who register after April 15, will be assigned to a stop close to their home.

JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community. JCC is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.

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